TO SELL CURRENT

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 83, 4 October 1929, Page 17

TO SELL CURRENT

ELECTRICAL EXHIBITION

A PEOTBST MADE

A brief discussion arose at the City Council meeting last cvoning over a proposal that permission should bo given, for tho holding of an electrical exhibition in the Town Hall. Labour councillors objected to the principle of an exhibition being hold in the Town Hall for the benefit of private traders, and advocated the establishment of an electrical trading department in the City Council. On the other hand, tho value was stressed of such an exhibition, which would ultimately result in gain to the council, which would sell increased current.

. The Tramways and Electricity Committee recommended:—"That the General Manager of the Tramways Department be authorised to make arrangements for the holding of an electrical exhibition in the Town Hall from 16th to 21st November."

Councillor E. M'Kecn opposed the holding of the exhibitiqu, and said he did not think it was fair that the council should bear the cost of £78 for the benefit of private traders. The object of the exhibition was to encourago citizens to purchase electrical appliances, and he thought that that showed a lack of enterprise on the part of the council, which should havo a showroom of its own. The time had arrived when the .council should, establish a department of its own.

The Mayor (Mr. G. A. Troup) said that Couueillor M'Eeoa's statement was not quite correct, A charge was being niade of £46 per stall. He pointed out that-the council would benefit from the exhibition, and referred to the extensive probable use of electrical power. Councillor G. H. Chapman considered that the council should not incur an expense of £78." That woujd not: be justified. He favoured tljg establisliment of a sales departmoiit,, He moved that the clause bo referred back 'to the committee. -. '.',..

Councillor E, Semple seconded the motion. . ■ .: :

Councillor T. Forsyth said the idea of the exhibition was to boost the council's own electrical department. He believed the.Tramway Committee was on the right; liii.es. ' ,The council would receive the uHiinatg benefit from the increased sale of the power. He thought the council'should put its foot down on the trading department, as records had shown that private enterprise would lead every time. ;

The ,M;a.yor explained that if there was aayj4>pp:fii, there was a possibility of thef-council's liability being reduced by 50:per:'Qejit,,,i,e., He said that the question aB to- whether the council should'go into private trading was an old one,, ■ ■.■•• ■'-..•■■■ ■'/.-.■■'...■

Councillor Chapman's motion1 was lost/by 8 vbtes to 3. '

The recommendation was adopted,